Remal Takes Shape Of Severe Cyclonic Storm, Landfall At Midnight; Heavy Rain & Squall To Hit Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Cyclonic Storm Remal over North Bay of Bengal has intensified into Severe Cyclonic Storm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Sunday.

According to the morning bulletin, the system is about 290 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 330 km south of Mongla (Bangladesh), 270 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), 390 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal) and 310 km southsoutheast of Canning (West Bengal).

“It is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards, intensify further and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara, close to southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh) by midnight as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph.”

Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall may occur at most places with isolated heavy rainfall in North Coastal Odisha. Yellow warning of heavy rain (7 to 20cm) has been issued for isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts on Sunday.

Orange warning of moderate thunderstorm accompanied by squall wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph, lightning and light to moderate rain has also been sounded for Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Boudh, and Koraput and cities within them, till 1 pm. They can be minor damage to loose/ unsecured structures, banana trees and standing crops. People have been advised to keep a watch on the weather and move to safer places accordingly.

On May 27, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in Balasore and Bhadrak with heavy rainfall in Mayurbhanj.

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmp along & off Odisha coasts is likely to prevail till May 27 morning

The Special Relief Commissioner on Sunday reviewed the situation with collectors of Mayurbhanj , Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada on the Severe Cyclonic Storm. They have been instructed to stay alert and use ODRAF and Fire Services in case situation arises. Fishing activity has been totally banned till May 27.

According to Centre of Environment and Climate (CEC), SOA, the system will move Northwards towards West Bengal-Bangladesh coast and cross West Bengal coast near Haldia or Sundarban island during evening hours of May 26 with wind speed around 120 kmph. “Before landfall, it may further intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm near the coast on May 26.  Under its influence, wind speed 60 to 70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph may be experienced in Balasore and Bhadrak districts and 25 to 35 kmph wind speed may prevail in Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts.Wind speed 20 to 30 kmph may be observed in Bhubaneswar on May 26 noon hours. Moderate to heavy rain may occur in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Cuttack districts on May 26. Heavy rainfall may be recorded in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada districts. Moderate rainfall may occur in Bhubaneswar on May 26 only,” said CEC director Sarat Chandra Sahu.

There is probability of increase of day temperature in Odisha region, causing heatwaves, from May 27-30, he added.